It's Not Magic, It's Science!: 50 Science Tricks that Mystify, Dazzle & Astound! [Hardcover]

Hope Buttitta (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Every child who performs these 50 fabulous feats will feel like a magician--but the magic here is really science at play. Every trick in the book has a sound, easy-to-understand scientific explanation that will stimulate kids' understanding of basic concepts. Even as they're having fun, children will wow the crowd by poking a skewer through a balloon without making it pop, or balancing a penny on a coat hanger. Nothing's cooler than watching a real egg get sucked into a glass bottle, picking up ice without even touching it, or whipping up fizzy and colorful solutions that any mad scientist would prize. Wild optical illusions will boggle the mind and astound the eye. Every exciting experiment is sure to appeal.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6–Using magic as her theme, Buttitta introduces students to scientific concepts such as air pressure, optical illusions, balance, Bernoulli effect, capillary action, density, temperature, and laws of motions. Each trick is one or two pages in length and includes a materials list of basic household items, numbered steps of easy-to-follow instructions, and an explanation of the scientific principles that make the magic work. Whimsical color illustrations add humor and elucidate some of the steps. Explanations of scientific principles and the history surrounding some of the discoveries that are used as a basis for these experiments are included. This book provides an effective way to entice students to learn about science. Peter Eldin's Science Magic (Millbrook, 2002) offers fewer experiments, but has the same science-as-magic premise.–Ann Joslin, formerly at Erie County Public Library, PA
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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 80 pages
• Publisher: Lark Books (March 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579906222
• ISBN-13: 978-1579906221
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,349,072 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun for young children, September 11, 2008

By 

Louise E. Miles "Tasgeesa" (Kansas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: It's Not Magic, It's Science!: 50 Science Tricks that Mystify, Dazzle & Astound (Paperback)

I did several experiments with my granddaughters. We easily found the required objects around the house and understood the directions. They especially liked the experiment where the egg is sucked into the glass bottle. They also liked the experiment where one person places a hand in cold water and the other in almost hot then they both put their hand into warm water and tell if it feels hot or cold. We divided into groups and presented a "Magic" show. My granddaughters are 5, 6, 7, but I think even younger kids could enjoy doing the experiments. I checked the book out of the library but now want copies for the kids so they can do all the experiments.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cool Entertainment, October 8, 2008

By 

Mimi B "cb" (Texas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: It's Not Magic, It's Science!: 50 Science Tricks that Mystify, Dazzle & Astound (Paperback)

This book was a great way to encourage reading. Not only did the kids read but were very excited to give up TV in order to try the experiments.